Celebrating Community

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in Panama. After our church service in the morning several of our members joined together to play soccer in the field near our home. It was one of those days that seem to last forever. The fellowship was exquisite as we enjoyed each other's company within a great context.

The day was a great example of the completeness of what it means to be the body of Christ. In one day we encapsulated much of what the church is called by God to engage in according to Hebrews 10:24 and 25. We assembled together, we exhorted each other, we considered one another and we stirred up love and good works amongst ourselves and we had fun doing it. yes we heard the word preached as I brought a message on the deceitfulness of the heart (not such a fun subject I think you'll agree) but we did it together and we fellowshipped together after words. I beleive the saying that says the family that prays together stays together. But I also beleive that it is the family that plays together that stays together. As a church we are a family.

We call our church La Comunidad or The Community. I beleive very strongly that as a church, our churh, the Church, any church is a Body, a Family and a Community. It's not one of these expressions but all of them working in tandem. We are a body according to Eph chapter 4:16 which is indicative of the fact that we are alive, an organizm that is organized not an orginization and that we each have a role to play as the uniquiue individual parts of the body. We are a family (RM 8:14-17 and 29)thus reflecting our commitment to one another as brothers and sisters. And we are a community, which provides the context for living all of these principles out not only within the four walls of the church but within and as a part of the greater community at large.

So for me, yesterday was a picture of these things moving and operating in reality not just existing in theory. We worshiped together and then learned about His word together. then we ate hot dogs and sharpened each other. Then we went out into our community and played soccer. A few people came that were not Christians from the community or who were invited by someone from the church.

So, even though my soccer playing skills left much to be desired (and I almost threw those hot dogs up several times)I went to sleep last night with a profound sense of satisfaction that for once on a Sunday we didn't just do church but we were the Church.